On Tuesday, October 1st, 2013, over 40 CARP Chapters across Canada (see full list here) raised the CARP flag honour of National Seniors Day  and the United Nations International Day of Older Persons.

The purpose of this day is to do more than just raise our CARP flags—we are raising awareness about the needs of an aging population in an effort to improve the quality of life for all Canadians and be an example for positive change world-wide. All CARP members are invited to come out and join us, and bring a friend!

Since the Federal Government instituted a National Seniors Day in 2011, CARP has participated in recognizing this day all thanks to John Rogers, an active Barrie, Ontario Chapter Board member who came up with the idea for a flag for our Association.

This year, Susan Eng was in attendance with Anthony Quinn from the National Office and Adina Lebo, CARP’s Toronto Chapter Chair and Toronto-Scarborough Chair Gary Butler.  Ontario Seniors’ Minister Mario Sergio presented and read official greetings from Premier Kathleen Wynne and presented Susan with the missive.  To read the Premier’s Letter to CARP, click here.

CTV News interviewed Susan Eng about the flag raising ceremony and CARP’s Age-Friendly Cities policy.  Click here to see the interview.

Also in attendance were City Councilor James Pasternak, Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly and Jane Meadus from the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly.

The Government instituted this national day of recognition “to pay tribute to the seniors who have helped build our country and continue to make valuable contributions to Canadian communities, workplaces and society,”  and gives us an opportunity to say thank you.

Furthermore, “it is an opportunity to talk about issues that will make life better for aging Canadians,” says Susan Eng, VP Advocacy for CARP. We must “raise our advocacy issues both on Age Friendly Cities as well as policy issues at the Federal level.”

The ceremonial raising of our flag coast to coast symbolizes our commitment to making positive change and realizing a new vision of aging for Canada.